Umbrella with an illumination device

ABSTRACT

A umbrella ( 1 ) includes a shank ( 20 ); a canopy support assembly ( 51 ) extending outwardly in a radial direction from a top of the shank ( 20 ); a canopy ( 70 ) secured in covering relation on the canopy support assembly ( 51 ); an illumination device ( 30 ) disposed in the shank ( 20 ); an upper runner ( 50 ) fixedly disposed on the top of the shank ( 20 ); a lower runner ( 40 ) slidably disposed on the shank ( 20 ); and a handle ( 10 ) fixedly disposed on a bottom of the shank ( 20 ). The shank ( 20 ) is hollow and is made of translucent FRP. The illumination device ( 30 ) includes a plurality of illumination members ( 32 ) spaced along the hollow of the shank ( 20 ), an exposed switch ( 33 ), and a power source ( 34 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to umbrellas and more particularly to such an umbrella having an illumination device with improved characteristics including being aesthetic, being capable of controlling color of emitted light, and being capable of flashing.

2. Description of Related Art

For increasing safety when walking in the night, umbrellas equipped with illumination devices are commercially available. In this regard, there have been numerous suggestions in prior patents for umbrella having illumination device. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,451 discloses a lamp means detachably securable on umbrella top, U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,873 discloses an umbrella with an illumination device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,481 discloses an illumination assembly for umbrella, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,509 discloses an illumination umbrella grip detachably mounted with cassette LED illuminating unit, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,434 discloses an umbrella grip attached with a light source.

Shank is the most important component for support the umbrella frame and withstanding strong wind. This is particularly true for large golf umbrellas. However, so far as the inventor is aware, there are no umbrella shanks equipped with illumination device.

As well known in the art, hollow umbrella shanks made of transparent plastic have the disadvantage of being weak in structural strength. Solid umbrella shanks made of transparent plastic have the advantage of added structural strength. But light transmission therethrough is adversely affected. Reflector(s) provided in the solid shank may improve its light transmission. However, it is still impossible of letting light passing through the whole length of the shank in terms of current technology.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a novel umbrella having its shank being structurally strong, transparent through its whole length, and capable of emitting colorful light and flashing in order to overcome the inadequacies of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an umbrella having an illumination device so as to increase safety when walking in the night.

It is another object of the invention to provide an umbrella having an illumination device with improved characteristics being aesthetic, being capable of controlling color of emitted light, and being capable of flashing.

To achieve the above and other objects, the invention provides an illumination device for an umbrella including a hollow shank made of translucent FRP and a handle fixedly disposed on a bottom of the shank, the illumination device being disposed in the shank and comprising a plurality of illumination members spaced along the hollow of the shank, a power source, and an exposed switch adapted to press to either electrically connect the power source to the illumination members or electrically disconnect the power source from the illumination members.

In one aspect of the invention each of inner and/or outer surfaces of the shank has either a meshed structure or a strap-like structure so that light may be diffused after passing the shank, resulting in an aesthetic lighting.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of umbrella incorporating an illumination device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled shank;

FIGS. 3 and 3A are partial perspective views of two different configurations of the shank respectively;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled shank where the illumination device is illuminated;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of umbrella incorporating an illumination device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a third preferred embodiment of umbrella incorporating an illumination device according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an open umbrella incorporating the first preferred embodiment shank of the invention, where the illumination device is illuminated; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of electrical connection and operation of the illumination device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 3A and 7, a first preferred embodiment of umbrella 1 incorporating an illumination device according to the invention is shown. The umbrella 1 comprises a shank 20, an illumination device 30 provided in the shank 20, a ferrule 60 extending from a top of the shank 20, an upper runner 50 fixedly provided on the top of the shank 20 and disposed proximate the ferrule 60, a lower runner 40 slidably provided on the shank 20, and a handle 10 fixedly provided on the bottom of the shank 20. Each of above components will now be described in detail below.

The handle 10 is hollow and thus has a cylindrical space 11 open to the top. The shank 20 is hollow and is made of translucent FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic). As shown in FIG. 3, the shank 20 has a meshed structure 21 on inner and/or outer surfaces in one configuration. As shown in FIG. 3A, the shank 20 has a strap-like structure 21 on inner and/or outer surfaces in the other configuration. Advantageously, the FRP shank 20 is structurally strong.

The illumination device 30 comprises a circuit board 31 mounted in the space 11, a plurality of illumination members (e.g., LEDs (light-emitting diodes) or bulbs) 32 equally spaced along the hollow of the shank 20 in which one illumination member 32 is provided in the ferrule 60, a pair of wires 322 electrically interconnecting the illumination members 32 and the circuit board 31, a switch 33 mounted on the surface of the handle 10, and a power source (e.g., two cells) 34 mounted proximate the bottom of the handle 10, and a pair of conductors 311 electrically interconnecting the power source 34 and the circuit board 31.

A lower stop 23 is fixedly provided on a lower portion of the shank 20 and an upper stop 22 is fixedly provided on an upper portion of the shank 20. The lower stop 23 is disposed within the lower runner 40 when the umbrella 1 is closed. The upper stop 22 is disposed within the lower runner 40 when the umbrella 1 is open (see FIG. 2).

The upper stop 22 comprises a lower inverted conic member 221 and an annular groove 222 immediately above the lower inverted conic member 221. The groove 222 has a diameter less than the top of the lower inverted conic member 221. The lower stop 23 comprises an upper conic member 231 and an annular groove 232 immediately below the upper conic member 231. The groove 232 has a diameter less than the bottom of the upper conic member 231. A cup 24 is slidably provided on the shank 20 below the lower stop 23. A helical spring 25 is put on the shank 20 and is biased between the cup 24 and the top of the handle 10.

The lower runner 40 is a hollow cylinder and comprises an axial bore 41 with the shank 20 freely passing through, an annular trough 42 around the bore 41 and open to the surface, a cylindrical projection 43 in the trough 42 opposing the opening of the trough 42, a lock ring 44 provided in the trough 42 and around the shank 20 in a partial contact fashion the umbrella 1 is either open or closed, the lock ring 44 having an exposed push button 441 and a cavity 442 opposite both the push button 441 and the opening of the trough 42 and facing the projection 43, and a torsion spring 45 partially put on the projection 43 and partially disposed in the cavity 442, the torsion spring 45 being biased between the trough 42 and the cavity 442 for pushing the push button 441 out of the opening of the trough 42.

A canopy support assembly 51 comprises a plurality of ribs 52 having one ends pivotably attached to the upper runner 50 and a plurality of stretchers 53 having one ends pivotably attached to the lower runner 40 and the other ends pivotably attached to intermediate portions of the ribs 52. A canopy 70 is secured in covering relation on the ribs 52 and is secured to the upper runner 50.

Umbrella opening and closing operations are described as follows. For closing the umbrella 1 a user may grasp the lower runner 40 to downward slide same along the shank 20 until the lock ring 44 passes the upper conic member 231 to lock in the annular groove 232 due to the expansion of the torsion spring 45. As a result, the lower runner 40 is locked.

For opening the umbrella 1 the user may press the push button 441 until the lock ring 44 clears the trough 42. Next, the user may upward slide the lower runner 40 along the shank 20 until the lock ring 44 passes the lower inverted conic member 221 to lock in the annular groove 222 due to the expansion of the torsion spring 45. As a result, the lower runner 40 is locked.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, a user may press the switch 33 to supply current from the power source 34 to the illumination members 32. As a result, the illumination members 32 hidden in the shank 20 emit light rays. The shank 20 is translucent and inner and/or outer surfaces thereof each has a meshed structure 21 (see FIG. 3) or a strap-like structure 21 (see FIG. 3A). Hence, light may be diffused after passing the shank 20. As a result, an aesthetic lighting is provided by the shank 20. It is understood that a colorful light can be rendered if the illumination members 32 consist of ones having different colors.

Referring to FIG. 8, a controller 35 is provided on the circuit board 31 and is electrically interconnected the circuit board 31 and the switch 33. The controller 35 comprises a first control 351 for causing the illumination members 32 to emit light of either a single color or a multiple color, a second control 352 for causing the illumination members 32 to emit different light rays in turns, a third control 353 for causing the illumination members 32 to flash either as a whole or in turns, and a fourth control 354 for causing the illumination members 32 to emit light in turns. A slide switch (not shown) may be electrically interconnected the switch 33 and one of the controls 351 to 354 of the controller 35 so that a slide operation of the slide switch may carry out one of the above effects of the illumination members 32.

Referring to FIG. 5, a second preferred embodiment of umbrella incorporating an illumination device according to the invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are detailed below. A slot 81 is provided on the shank 20. An elastic member 82 is secured to an inner wall of the shank 20 and has a tab 83 projecting out of the slot 81 and a push button 84 below the tab 83 and also projecting out of the slot 81. A lower runner 85 has a narrow lower portion slidably put on the shank 20. The lower runner 85 comprises a surface opening 851. The tab 83 projects through the opening 851 for locking the lower runner 85 when the umbrella is closed. For opening the umbrella, a user may press the push button 84 to cause the tab 83 to clear the opening 851. The lower runner 85 is unlocked once the tab 83 clears the opening 851. Thereafter, both the lower runner 85 and the upper runner 50 slide upward automatically to extend the canopy support assembly 51.

Referring to FIG. 6, a third preferred embodiment of umbrella incorporating an illumination device according to the invention is shown. The characteristics of the third preferred embodiment are detailed below. Upper and lower slots 92 and 93 are provided on the shank 20. An elastic member 91 is secured to an inner wall of the shank 20 and has an upper tab 921 projecting out of the upper slot 92 and a lower tab 931 projecting out of the lower slot 93. Handle 10A is implemented as a hook one.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. 

1. An umbrella (1) with an illumination device (30) comprising: a shank (20); a canopy support assembly (51) extending outwardly in a radial direction from a top of the shank (20); a canopy (70) secured in covering relation on the canopy support assembly (51); an illumination device (30) disposed in the shank (20); an upper runner (50) fixedly disposed on the top of the shank (20); a lower runner (40) slidably disposed on the shank (20); and a handle (10) fixedly disposed on a bottom of the shank (20), wherein the shank (20) is hollow and is made of translucent FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic); and wherein the illumination device (30) comprises a plurality of illumination members (32) spaced along the hollow of the shank (20), an exposed switch (33), and a power source (34).
 2. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) has a meshed structure (21).
 3. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) has a strap-like structure (21).
 4. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein each of the illumination members is either an LED (light-emitting diode) or a bulb, wherein the switch (33) is disposed on an outer surface of the handle (10), wherein the power source (34) is disposed in the handle (10), and wherein the illumination device (30) further comprises a circuit board (31) electrically interconnected the illumination members (32) and the power source (34), and a controller (35) disposed on the circuit board (31) and electrically interconnected the circuit board (31) and the switch (33).
 5. The umbrella (1) of claim 4, wherein the controller (35) is adapted to flash the illumination members (32) either as a whole or in turns.
 6. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) comprises a lower stop (23) fixedly disposed on a lower portion thereof, the lower stop (23) comprising an upper conic member (231) and an annular groove (232) immediately below the upper conic member (231), the annular groove (232) having a diameter less than a bottom of the upper conic member (231); and an upper stop (22) fixedly disposed on an upper portion thereof, the upper stop (22) comprising a lower inverted conic member (221) and an annular groove (222) immediately above the lower inverted conic member (221), the annular groove (222) having a diameter less than a top of the lower inverted conic member (221).
 7. The umbrella (1) of claim 6, wherein the lower runner (40) comprises an axial bore (41) with the shank (20) freely passing through, an annular trough (42) around the bore (41) and open to an outer surface of the lower runner (40), a cylindrical projection (43) in the trough (42) opposing the opening of the trough (42), a lock ring (44) disposed in the trough (42) and around the shank (20), the lock ring (44) partially contacted either the annular groove (222) when the umbrella (1) is open or the annular groove (232) when the umbrella (1) is closed, the lock ring (44) having an exposed push button (441) and a cavity (442) opposite the push button (441) and facing the projection (43), and a torsion spring (45) partially put on the projection (43) and partially disposed in the cavity (442), the torsion spring (45) being biased between the trough (42) and the cavity (442) for pushing the push button (441) out of the opening of the trough (42).
 8. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, further comprising a ferrule (60) extending from the top of the shank (20), and wherein one of the illumination members (32) is disposed in the ferrule (60).
 9. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) comprises a slot (81) disposed thereon, and an elastic member (82) secured to an inner wall of the shank (20) and including a tab (83) projecting out of the slot (81) and a push button (84) below the tab (83) and projecting out of the slot (81), and wherein the lower runner (85) has a surface opening (851) with the tab (83) projecting therethrough for locking the lower runner (85) when the umbrella (1) is closed.
 10. The umbrella (1) of claim 1, wherein the shank (20) comprises an upper slot (92) and a lower slot (93), and an elastic member (91) fastened in the shank (20) and including an upper tab (921) projecting out of the upper slot (92) and a lower tab (931) projecting out of the lower slot (93).
 11. An umbrella (1) with an illumination device (30) comprising a hollow shank (20) made of translucent FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) and a handle (10) fixedly disposed on a bottom of the shank (20), the illumination device (30) being disposed in the shank (20) and comprising a plurality of illumination members (32) spaced along the hollow of the shank (20), a power source (34), and an exposed switch (33) adapted to press to either electrically connect the power source (34) to the illumination members (32) or electrically disconnect the power source (34) from the illumination members (32).
 12. The umbrella (1) of claim 11, wherein the shank (20) has a meshed structure (21).
 13. The umbrella (1) of claim 11, wherein the shank (20) has a strap-like structure (21). 